Let’s be honest - SEO sounds like one of those things we should care about, but often gets filed under “I’ll figure that out later.” And now? Toss AI into the mix, and it’s enough to make any creative crawl under their desk with a pint of cookie dough.

That’s why I invited Jeremy Hyler, Creative Director at PhotoBiz.com (and my personal website wizard), to break down exactly what photographers need to know right now about SEO, AI, and building a website that actually works for you not against you. Whether you’re DIY-ing your site or hiring it out, this conversation will save you hours of confusion and give you a fresh strategy to get found, stay relevant, and show up as your best self online.

📸 SEO That Works Now (And Isn’t Stuck in 2010)

Jeremy reminds us that SEO isn’t about stuffing “Dallas family photographer” into every sentence - it’s about sounding like a real human telling a real story. Think:

“Hi, I’m Kate, and I’m a Nebraska headshot photographer.”

That’s it. That’s the magic.

Top SEO tips that still matter in 2025:

• Geo-target naturally: Include your city/region in your copy without forcing it.

• Blog consistently: Every blog post is another indexed page Google can find.

• Backlinks: Collaborate with vendors or venues to get mutual links—it shows Google your site is credible.

• Clean, mobile-friendly design: If your logo is floating into the abyss on mobile, it’s hurting your SEO.

• Reduce image overload: 10–30 photos per session post is ideal—no one wants to scroll through 1,000 images.

“SEO isn’t about tricking Google, it’s about telling a better story.” – Jeremy Hyler

🤖 AI Isn’t the Enemy - It’s Your Time-Saving Best Friend

AI is everywhere and shaking up the creative industry, but instead of fearing it, photographers can leverage it to speed up the tasks they don’t love, like writing blog posts or culling images.

Ways to use AI in your photography business:

• Cull and edit faster in tools like Lightroom or Photoshop.

• Draft website copy or blog posts using tools like PhotoBiz AI.

• Save time on behind-the-scenes tasks and get back behind the lens.

“AI isn’t replacing your eye. It’s freeing up your time.” – Jeremy Hyler

Jeremy also shares how AI is impacting search. Google’s new “AI search mode” curates results based on location, reviews, and current content so if you don’t have a Google Business Profile (with reviews!) or a blog showcasing your latest work, now’s the time to get started.

💻 Why PhotoBiz Is a Game-Changer for Photographers

PhotoBiz makes websites simple and effective for creatives who are tired of overcomplicated platforms. Whether you want to DIY your site or hand it off completely, PhotoBiz has both the tools and the team to help—without requiring a tech degree.

Key features photographers love:

• Built-in AI tools for writing copy and optimizing SEO.

• Mobile-friendly designs that work right out of the box.

• Custom support via phone, chat, or coaching.

• A new quick-edit toggle feature coming soon!

“We want to make websites that are beautiful and easy—without you needing to be a designer.” – Jeremy Hyler

🎁 Listener Perk: 25% Off Your Annual Plan

Thinking about giving PhotoBiz a try? Use code POD25 at checkout for 25% off your annual plan exclusive to listeners of The One Behind the Lens. Whether you’re ready to launch your site or upgrade what you’ve got, this code is your sign to make it happen.